Biomedical Curriculum Research Topics - 39th cycle / 2023
Candidates may apply for more than one scholarship provided that they present a research project for each topic.
Genetic background and epigenetic modifications in ageing
Host University:
University of Calabria
Reference person:
Giuseppe Passarino
Genetic background and epigenetic modifications in ageing
Healthy ageing is a very complex trait due to the complicated interactions of numerous genetic and environmental factors. The search for genetic and molecular basis of aging has led to the identification of genes correlated with the maintenance of the cell and of its basic metabolism as the main genetic factors affecting the individual variation of the aging phenotype. Epigenetic studies have shown that epigenetic modifications, modulated by both genetic background and lifestyle, are very sensitive to the aging process and can either be a biomarker of the quality of aging or influence the rate and the quality of aging. In order to untangle the genetic and epigenetic components of healthy ageing extensive molecular analyses will be carried out on genetic materials of subjects with different ageing and different health status. In particular the analysis will focus on centenarians, people who has followed restriction calorie diet as well as people with the sign of unhealthy ageing (patients with metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer Disease, Dementia, Cancer). The aim of the project will be to highlight the genes which contribute with their variability in defining the individual susceptibility to unhealthy/healthy ageing, and the genes which modify their epigenetic profiles in response to healthy lifestyle or to accelerated ageing.
Sarcopenia in older people
Host University:
University of Ferrara
Reference person:
Stefano Volpato
Sarcopenia in older people
The general aim of the doctoral project is the study of sarcopenia in older people. Sarcopenia is a highly prevalent geriatric syndrome characterized by reduced quantity and quality of skeletal muscle, associated with impaired function.
The project should be specifically focused to the study and development of innovative diagnostic approaches allowing a better and easier diagnostic assessment, using noninvasive techniques that can be easily applied in different clinical situations including bedridden patients.
More specifically the project should address one or more of the following issues:
- Assessment of muscle mass and strength in older people across different clinical setting.
- Assessment analysis of anthropometric and functional parameters according to age, gender, functional status, and select geriatric chronic conditions and diseases.
- Identification of demographics, social, functional, and clinical correlates of reduced quantity and quality skeletal muscle strength.
- Investigation of the association between reduced skeletal muscle quality and poor clinical outcomes.
- Investigation and validation of innovative noninvasive assessment tools.
- Study of diagnostic and prognostic predictive value of new biomarkers.
- Study of histopathological features of skeletal muscle of older sarcopenic people and potential correlation with diagnostic and clinical parameters, including biomarkers.
Experimental and Clinical Geriatrics
Host University:
University of Florence
Reference person:
Andrea Ungar
Experimental and Clinical Geriatrics
The project should address geriatric and gerontological issues of a biological, clinical, and/or technological nature. It should focus on investigating one or more of the following aspects:
- ‘Physiological’ and ‘pathological’ ageing: clinical markers.
- Markers of frailty.
- Bio-molecular mechanisms of ‘physiological’ ageing.
- Bio-molecular mechanisms of the main diseases of geriatric ageing.
- Translational research aimed at framing the main geriatric syndromes and their interaction with frailty, disability, and neurodegenerative processes.
- Study of metabolomics and proteomics, and analysis of the intestinal microbiota.
- Insights into geriatric pharmacology: from the biomolecular basis to the clinical interaction between frailty and therapy.
- New genetic approaches
- New technological approaches for older adult’s care: artificial intelligence in the older age, telemedicine, and domotics (e.g., transmission of information; home furnishings, clothing, and diagnostics of movement disorders)
- Innovative care projects such as animal-assisted interventions, occupational therapy, and music therapy: the impact on the disease is not only ‘organic’, but also psychological.
- Older adults’ care in a special ‘setting’: from the emergency room to perioperative medicine at home.
- Palliative care projects for older patients.